History holds some lessons about when scaring people to change their behavior works. Two public health experts offer a case for caution right now.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Fear
Displaying 21 - 40 of 110 articles
Despite moments of hope, worries about the present and fears that the future may be even worse have been rising for decades. What can geopolitics teach us about the global impact of fear?
One medication-free technique uses your emotions to release stress.
Irrational behaviour during difficult circumstances is rooted in deeper cognitive and evolutionary psychological mechanisms. Many reflect what are called emergency decision and purchasing contexts.
What happens when we have a COVID-19 vaccine – and millions are afraid of a needle?
Fear is very much a part of humans’ survival. Demagogues and others who want to manipulate have learned that this human trait can be exploited, often with disastrous consequences.
Long after a crisis recedes, residual anxiety can remain and become calcified in cultures, customs and institutions.
It’s human nature to try to insulate yourself from the unpleasant realization that death comes for all of us eventually.
How do you know if your fears of coronavirus are out of control? And what can you do about it?
The United States is at risk of lacking data from more than 10 million undocumented immigrants in the 2020 census.
Buddhist monks have been chanting sutras to provide spiritual relief during the coronavirus crisis. A scholar of Buddhism translates some Buddhist teachings into ways we can deal with uncertain times.
With so much sadness and loss from COVID-19, some of us may feel selfish if we complain about relative inconveniences. But because humans are creatures of habit, changes are hard.
It can feel like everyone is stewing in anxiety about COVID-19 and seeing other people freak out can make you freak out more. A psychiatrist explains this phenomenon, and how to keep it in check.
A first-century B.C. Roman poet and philosopher, Lucretius was worried that our fear of death could lead to irrational beliefs and actions that could harm society.
A psychologist explains how to get a grip on anxiety triggered by COVID-19.
Artists have always created monsters to embody human fears. In this year’s Adelaide Biennial, Australian contemporary artists bring our past demons and current fears to life.
A social psychologist explains how you can be so deeply affected by the death of someone you’ve never met.
The human scream – a response we share with our primate relatives – is more nuanced than you might think.
You’re just as likely to be a victim of a mass shooting as you are to be struck by lightning. So why do nearly 50% of Americans say they’re afraid of being caught in the crossfire?
There are three main scenarios that may influence whether or not you develop a phobia.
Top contributors
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Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Wayne State University
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Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of the Sunshine Coast
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Leslie Henderson is a Friend of The Conversation.
Professor of Physiology and Neurobiology, Dean of Faculty Affairs, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College
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Professor and Chair, Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University
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Professor of Psychology, Skidmore College
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Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology, Knox College
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Associate professor, University of the Witwatersrand
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Senior lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide
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Foundation Director, Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes, Deakin University
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University of Newcastle
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Research Fellow, University of Exeter, University of Exeter
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Researcher, Macquarie University
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Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool
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Lecturer in Parasitology and Evolutionary Biology, University of New England
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Cartier Chaired Professor of Behavioural Sciences, Full Professor, Department of Entrepreneurship, ESCP Business School
